Canada's Opposition Parties Vow to Bring Down Government, 1 month into its term...

[Asher]

Rhetoric does not equal an argument.

[Wezil]

So you're still not convinced?

[Wezil]

Sorry, can't resist.

[Ben Kenobi]

Wow, Asher and I agree on something.

Nice to see that the other parties aren't just piggies at the trough, they are swine.

[embalmer42]

Watching someone try to make Asher admit he might be wrong is as about as exciting and worthwhile as watching paint dry.

[Wezil]

Originally posted by embalmer42
Watching someone try to make Asher admit he might be wrong is as about as exciting and worthwhile as watching paint dry.

But I added a nice clip as a bonus to those that made it through.


Asher - Ben is on your side.

[embalmer42]

Originally posted by Wezil


But I added a nice clip as a bonus to those that made it through.


Asher - Ben is on your side.

You can never go wrong with the Python

[notyoueither]

Originally posted by embalmer42
Someone blinks.......




http://www.torontosun.com/news/canad...8/7567736.html

How do you mean? Has the article been added to since you posted it?

[Wezil]

Yes it has. Damn internet. Nothing ever stays the same.

It was originally about the C's backing down on the subsidy issue.

[notyoueither]

I had a busy day at work, so just getting caught up.

I have to admit, I am a bit torn on this.

I was unimpressed that Harper called the last election to begin with. Now this, and it is pretty obvious it is political payback for the last election campaign.

I agree there are better things the Tories could be doing in the early days of a government, especially given the gravity of the current economic situation.

At the same time, I find it quite humourous that the Bloq and Liberals are crying foul over a cynical manipulation of the poilitcal system. Were it not for such behaviour the Bloq would not exist, and the Liberals would not have anywhere near the experience with government that they do.

At the most basic level, I approve of eliminating public funding for political parties. I was for it, moderately, and then we were treated to the result. A narrow interest party got votes, gained funding, and then used the funding effectively to subsidise the campaign of one of the major parties.

I am against the balkanisation of the political process, so I am now against handing out funds to any clown who can gain enough laughs to get a few people to vote for him/her.

Still, bolt out of the blue and at odds with earlier stated intentions on the part of Harper. I'm really unimpressed given the timing even if I understand the motivation and approve of the idea.

[Ben Kenobi]

I think it's a masterstroke by Harper, and makes me wish I'd voted for him.

I haven't said that in 4 years!

The people of Canada should not be funding the political campaigns of anyone, unless they choose to donate.

If people want to donate to the liberals, then they should be able to, but by the same token the Liberals shouldn't be able to demand my money to meet their bills.

This is a heck of a bill though.

Option 1:

The bill passes over opposition defecters. Harper destroys the BQ, Liberals and likely the NDP party organisations, as they no longer have the money to operate without public funds.

Harper continues to steal Dion's lunch for the next 4 years.

Option 2:

Layton, Duceppe and Dion manage to form a coalition, and whip enough of a vote to finally call Harper's bluff. Harper goes back to the people, and calls an election, one month after the last one. Harper gets his sought after majority, as the Liberals, NDP and BQ are out of cash.

Harper passes the bill anyways.

Option 3:

Layton, Duceppe and Dion try to trigger a constitutional crisis by filing a non-confidence motion against the government. Government falls. Harper triggers an election anyways, before the GG can let Layton, Duceppe and Dion take government.

Harper wins election with a majority.

Harper passes the bill anyways.

I see no good options here.

[Victor Galis]

I fail to see how an election would happen if the opposition can form a coalition. I also fail to see how Harper would win such an election given that he would be responsible for triggering an unnecessary election.

[notyoueither]

I don't think you underdstand how the process works, Ben.

[Ben Kenobi]

I don't think you underdstand how the process works, Ben.

If the non-confidence motion passes we go to election. Simple as that.

[Ben Kenobi]

I fail to see how an election would happen if the opposition can form a coalition. I also fail to see how Harper would win such an election given that he would be responsible for triggering an unnecessary election.

How would the conservatives be triggering an unnecessary election?

Dion and the opposition has chosen to try to ram a non-confidence motion through parliament to take down the minority government.

The people wanted the Conservatives in. The coalition of the rest of the parties is gonna get hammered.

I don't think they are going to succeed either. If the Liberals form a coalition with the NDP and the BQ, Dion has just signed their death warrant.